How could man rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men?

How could man rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men?

In the context of Lao Tzu's teachings, the idea of rejoicing in victory and delighting in the slaughter of men goes against the fundamental principles of Taoism. Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher and founder of Taoism, believed in the concept of Wu Wei, or non-action, which emphasizes living in harmony with the natural order of the universe. This philosophy promotes peace, compassion, and humility, and discourages violence and aggression.

For Lao Tzu, true victory does not come from conquering others or causing harm, but from inner peace and self-mastery. He believed that the pursuit of power and dominance only leads to suffering and conflict, and that true strength lies in being gentle and yielding, like water flowing effortlessly around obstacles. In the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu writes, "The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world. Through this I know the advantage of taking no action."

In the context of warfare and conflict, Lao Tzu would likely view rejoicing in victory and delighting in the slaughter of men as a sign of ignorance and spiritual immaturity. He would argue that true wisdom and enlightenment come from understanding the interconnectedness of all things and cultivating compassion and empathy for others. Lao Tzu believed that violence and aggression only perpetuate a cycle of suffering and destruction, and that true peace can only be achieved through non-violence and non-resistance.